FOXYGEN

Foxygen and Star Power is the Los Angeles songwriting duo of 24-year-olds Sam France and Jonathan Rado. In May 2011, France and Rado nervously handed off a CD-R of this homemade mini-opus Take the Kids Off Broadway (Jagjaguwar, 2012) to producer and visionary Richard Swift after his performance in a Lower East Side club. The duo, who had just mixed and burned the disc that very night, had been devotees of Swift's outsider-pop oeuvre since high school, when they first began recording their own pubescent forays into oddball rock n' roll (At least a dozen records were finished before they graduated high school). Foxygen left the venue that night unsure whether Swift would truly listen or sling the disc into a dumpster on his way out. You're reading this right now because Swift did listen. In fact, he fucking flipped for Foxygen's bugged out, esoteric majesty and called upon them immediately to say as much. Eight months later, Foxygen was holed up for a week-long recording session at Swift's neo-legendary National Freedom studio, creating what became their breakthrough, We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic (Jagjaguwar, 2013), a precocious and cocksure joyride across California psychedelia.2013 saw the mercurial success of 21st Century, and with it, heightened demands for tour planning, added press days, demands on resources, the sacrifice of personal relationships, and the indefinite delay of recording plans. The quick-fire success made for an altogether turbulent 2013 for the band. Foxygen's always captivating live performances shifted from eruptive to sometimes frightening -- and then, just put on ice altogether. But at the close of 2013, France and Rado found secret sanctuary in their new studio, Dream Star, and holing up in some of LA's most famous hotels for more recording. Writing music together is what their friendship has always thrived upon. At Dream Star in the northernmost passage of LA's valley, they reformed as a punk band called Star Power. And the result, the svelte, 82-minute ...And Star Power, is a morphing, splice-and-paste journey through soft rock indulgences, psych-ward folk, cartoon fantasia, D&D doomrock, and paranoid bathroom rompers. Foxygen, now expanded into a 9-piece touring machine as Star Power, calls the album "a cinematic, auditory adventure for the speedy freaks, skull krunchers, abductees, and misfits...the radio station you can only hear if you believe."

Foxygen, oh Foxygen. They’re always up to something. If you haven’t managed to watch their Takeaway show, do so now. The folks behind La Blogotheque met with the Foxy gang in Paris this past February to film a live, moving performance of “No Destruction,” “On Blue Mountain” and “In The Darkness.” Watch above and check out the entire shoot HERE.

Also coming in today is a brand new 7″, complete with Richard Swift artwork (pictured above), for your purchasing pleasure. You’ll find an a-side of “No Destruction,” backed with “Where’s the Money.” Pre-order the single at SC Distribution.

As always, we’ve got a round of tour dates for you. Foxygen hit the road this summer, playing a million different music festivals. You’ll find all the dates HERE.

Part 1:
In this new Turn Style interview with Foxygen, we learn all about the band’s inspiriation: space and poetry. Who’s surprised really? Not us. Catch the clip above.

Part 2:
Are you in need of some inspiration? Get your daily dose with NPR’s webcast of Foxygen’s show at D.C.’s Rock and Roll Hotel. Recorded last week, the performance is a real goodun. You’ll find it HERE.

Part 3:
Are you satisfied yet? No?! Stop your bellyachin’ and listen to Foxygen’s interview and session with BBC’s Huw Stephens. You’re guaranteed endless happiness with this gem.

SWIM.AT.YOUR.OWN.RISK. Jagjaguwar has teamed up with Dead Oceans and Secretly Canadian for an OFFICIAL SXSW SHOWCASE and folks, let me tell you, it’s a real winner. Jagjaguwar artists include Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Foxygen, Small Black and The Besnard Lakes.

The event takes place on THURSDAY, MARCH 14 at RED 7 (611 E. 7th St.), and all with wristbands/badges are invited to attend. Artists will perform on both the indoor and outdoor stages! See the full showcase schedule below (JAG artists shown in bold). You’ll also find all of our artists’ performance schedules at the end of the post.

Foxygen’s Sam France and Rado recently met with John Norris for a sweet little interview at NYC’s Webster Hall. Tis always a treat to hear from these two, especially when they are wearing such marvelous shirts. Watch above or at Noisevox.

Foxygen are currently on tour with Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Wampire; a tour you’ll be incredibly sorry to miss. You can check out all the dates HERE! Get your tickets in advance for shows are quickly selling out!